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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 28, 2019 02:15 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Frank Burns and Rep. Margo L. Davidson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Repealing Harmful Changes in Medical Transportation |
| Public transportation riders must navigate an often complex system of fixed-route bus or train schedules as well as shared-ride options provided by local transit agencies. Last year, the General Assembly further complicated this system by changing the way medical transportation rides are offered to our most vulnerable citizens. Act 40 of 2018 required the state Department of Human Services to take the Medical Assistance Transportation Program out of the hands of local transit agencies and move to a statewide or regional broker system. Layering a new provider for a limited segment of public transportation riders adds an unnecessary level of confusion for users and threatens cutbacks and fare increases that would affect riders across Pennsylvania. That’s why we will be introducing legislation to repeal the requirement that Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) rides be provided by a contracted broker. Local transit agencies – both in urban centers and sprawling rural areas – say that losing the ability to provide MATP rides could lead to cutbacks in service areas and hours as well as steep fare hikes or future funding requests from the Commonwealth. Our legislation will ensure that all users of public transit continue to have access to a broad geographic area without fare increases. Please join us in sponsoring this crucial repeal that would ensure local medical transportation is kept in the hands of local transit agencies. |
Introduced as HB2008